Vector maximum and minimum with indexing

ABSTRACT

A method to compare first and second source data in a processor in response to a vector maximum with indexing instruction includes specifying first and second source registers containing first and second source data, a destination register storing compared data, and a predicate register. Each of the registers includes a plurality of lanes. The method includes executing the instruction by, for each lane in the first and second source register, comparing a value in the lane of the first source register to a value in the corresponding lane of the second source register to identify a maximum value, storing the maximum value in a corresponding lane of the destination register, asserting a corresponding lane of the predicate register if the maximum value is from the first source register, and de-asserting the corresponding lane of the predicate register if the maximum value is from the second source register.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/422,501, filed May 24, 2019, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

Modern digital signal processors (DSP) face multiple challenges. DSPs may frequently execute software that requires sorting functions to be carried out. Sorting functions may require identifying minimum or maximum values in an array of values and, in certain cases, the position or index of an identified minimum or maximum value in the array. Multiple instructions may be required to identify the minimum or maximum value as well as its position, which increases instruction overhead due to the frequent, repetitive nature of sorting functions carried out by the DSP.

SUMMARY

In accordance with at least one example of the disclosure, a method to compare first and second source data in a processor in response to a vector maximum or minimum with indexing instruction includes specifying first and second source registers containing first and second source data, a destination register storing compared data, and a predicate register. Each of the registers includes a plurality of lanes. The method includes executing the instruction by, for each lane in the first and second source register, comparing a value in the lane of the first source register to a value in the corresponding lane of the second source register to identify a maximum or minimum value, storing the maximum or minimum value in a corresponding lane of the destination register, asserting a corresponding lane of the predicate register if the maximum or minimum value is from the first source register, and de-asserting the corresponding lane of the predicate register if the maximum or minimum value is from the second source register.

In accordance with another example of the disclosure a data processor includes a first source register configured to contain first source data, a second source register configured to contain second source data, a destination register, and a predicate register. Each of the first and second source registers, the destination register, and the predicate register includes a plurality of lanes. In response to execution of a single vector maximum or minimum with indexing instruction, the data processor is configured to compare a value in the lane of the first source register to a value in the corresponding lane of the second source register to identify a maximum or minimum value, store the maximum or minimum value in a corresponding lane of the destination register, assert a corresponding lane of the predicate register as a result of the maximum or minimum value being from the first source register, and de-assert the corresponding lane of the predicate register as a result of the maximum or minimum value being from the second source register.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a detailed description of various examples, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 shows a dual scalar/vector datapath processor in accordance with various examples;

FIG. 2 shows the registers and functional units in the dual scalar/vector datapath processor illustrated in FIG. 1 and in accordance with various examples;

FIG. 3 shows an exemplary global scalar register file;

FIG. 4 shows an exemplary local scalar register file shared by arithmetic functional units;

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary local scalar register file shared by multiply functional units;

FIG. 6 shows an exemplary local scalar register file shared by load/store units;

FIG. 7 shows an exemplary global vector register file;

FIG. 8 shows an exemplary predicate register file;

FIG. 9 shows an exemplary local vector register file shared by arithmetic functional units;

FIG. 10 shows an exemplary local vector register file shared by multiply and correlation functional units;

FIG. 11 shows pipeline phases of the central processing unit in accordance with various examples;

FIG. 12 shows sixteen instructions of a single fetch packet in accordance with various examples;

FIG. 13 shows an exemplary set of registers, including first and second source registers, a destination register, and a predicate register, involved with the execution of instructions in accordance with various examples;

FIGS. 14A-14D show numerical examples of carrying out execution of instructions in accordance with various examples;

FIG. 15 shows instruction coding of instructions in accordance with various examples; and

FIG. 16 shows a flow chart of a method of executing instructions in accordance with various examples.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As explained above, DSPs often execute software that requires sorting functions to be carried out. Although sorting functions are generally well-understood, implementing sorting functions at the processor level (e.g., with assembly- or compiler-level instructions) may require multiple instructions. For example, a sorting function may require identification of minimum or maximum values within an array of values, as well as identification of the position or index of an identified minimum or maximum value in the array. Since sorting functions carried out by the DSP are often frequent and repetitive, increased instruction overhead is not desirable.

In order to improve performance of a DSP carrying out sorting functions, at least by reducing the instruction overhead required to carry out those sorting functions, examples of the present disclosure are directed to vector maximum/minimum with indexing instructions that compare first source data in a first source register with second source data in a second source register. The vector maximum/minimum with indexing instruction is a single-instruction-multiple-data (SIMD) instruction that operates on data in corresponding lanes of the first and second source registers. For example, the first and second source registers are 512-bit vector registers, and each lane is an 8-bit lane, such that 64 comparisons take place in response to execution of a single vector maximum/minimum with indexing instruction.

Referring to the vector maximum with indexing instruction, executing the vector maximum with indexing instruction compares data in corresponding lanes of the first and second source registers, identifies a maximum value of each pair of compared data (i.e., data from the first and second source registers in a single lane), and stores the maximum value in a destination register. In at least one example, the destination register is the second source register. The vector maximum with indexing instruction also asserts or de-asserts, for each lane, a corresponding lane of a predicate register based on the result of the comparison of the corresponding lane of the first and second source registers. For example, if the identified maximum value is from the first source register, the corresponding lane in the predicate register is asserted; if the identified maximum value is from the second source register, the corresponding lane in the predicate register is de-asserted. The predicate register value is used, for example, in a next sorting iteration to zero out the “losing” entries (e.g., those for which the identified maximum is from the second source register and thus the corresponding lane in the predicate register is de-asserted) so that the corresponding value in the first source register is no longer in the sorting pool.

The vector minimum with indexing instruction operates similarly, except that instead of identifying a maximum value of each pair of compared data, the vector minimum with indexing instruction identifies a minimum value and stores the minimum value in the destination register. The vector minimum with indexing instruction also asserts or de-asserts, for each lane, a corresponding lane of a predicate register based on the result of the comparison of the corresponding lane of the first and second source registers. For example, if the identified minimum value is from the first source register, the corresponding lane in the predicate register is asserted; if the identified minimum value is from the second source register, the corresponding lane in the predicate register is de-asserted. Similar to above, the predicate register value is used, for example, in a next sorting iteration to zero out the “losing” entries (e.g., those for which the identified minimum is from the second source register and thus the corresponding lane in the predicate register is de-asserted) so that the corresponding value in the first source register is no longer in the sorting pool.

By implementing a single vector maximum/minimum with indexing instruction that both identifies the maximum/minimum value for each pair of compared data (i.e., data from the first and second source registers in a single lane) and identifies a position or index of the identified maximum/minimum value by asserting or de-asserting a corresponding lane in a predicate register, the instruction overhead for carrying out sorting functions is reduced, which improves performance of the DSP when executing software that requires sorting functions be carried out.

FIG. 1 illustrates a dual scalar/vector datapath processor in accordance with various examples of this disclosure. Processor 100 includes separate level one instruction cache (L1I) 121 and level one data cache (L1 D) 123. Processor 100 includes a level two combined instruction/data cache (L2) 130 that holds both instructions and data. FIG. 1 illustrates connection between level one instruction cache 121 and level two combined instruction/data cache 130 (bus 142). FIG. 1 illustrates connection between level one data cache 123 and level two combined instruction/data cache 130 (bus 145). In an example, processor 100 level two combined instruction/data cache 130 stores both instructions to back up level one instruction cache 121 and data to back up level one data cache 123. In this example, level two combined instruction/data cache 130 is further connected to higher level cache and/or main memory in a manner known in the art and not illustrated in FIG. 1. In this example, central processing unit core 110, level one instruction cache 121, level one data cache 123 and level two combined instruction/data cache 130 are formed on a single integrated circuit. This signal integrated circuit optionally includes other circuits.

Central processing unit core 110 fetches instructions from level one instruction cache 121 as controlled by instruction fetch unit 111. Instruction fetch unit 111 determines the next instructions to be executed and recalls a fetch packet sized set of such instructions. The nature and size of fetch packets are further detailed below. As known in the art, instructions are directly fetched from level one instruction cache 121 upon a cache hit (if these instructions are stored in level one instruction cache 121). Upon a cache miss (the specified instruction fetch packet is not stored in level one instruction cache 121), these instructions are sought in level two combined cache 130. In this example, the size of a cache line in level one instruction cache 121 equals the size of a fetch packet. The memory locations of these instructions are either a hit in level two combined cache 130 or a miss. A hit is serviced from level two combined cache 130. A miss is serviced from a higher level of cache (not illustrated) or from main memory (not illustrated). As is known in the art, the requested instruction may be simultaneously supplied to both level one instruction cache 121 and central processing unit core 110 to speed use.

In an example, central processing unit core 110 includes plural functional units to perform instruction specified data processing tasks. Instruction dispatch unit 112 determines the target functional unit of each fetched instruction. In this example, central processing unit 110 operates as a very long instruction word (VLIW) processor capable of operating on plural instructions in corresponding functional units simultaneously. Preferably a complier organizes instructions in execute packets that are executed together. Instruction dispatch unit 112 directs each instruction to its target functional unit. The functional unit assigned to an instruction is completely specified by the instruction produced by a compiler. The hardware of central processing unit core 110 has no part in this functional unit assignment. In this example, instruction dispatch unit 112 may operate on plural instructions in parallel. The number of such parallel instructions is set by the size of the execute packet. This will be further detailed below.

One part of the dispatch task of instruction dispatch unit 112 is determining whether the instruction is to execute on a functional unit in scalar datapath side A 115 or vector datapath side B 116. An instruction bit within each instruction called the s bit determines which datapath the instruction controls. This will be further detailed below.

Instruction decode unit 113 decodes each instruction in a current execute packet. Decoding includes identification of the functional unit performing the instruction, identification of registers used to supply data for the corresponding data processing operation from among possible register files and identification of the register destination of the results of the corresponding data processing operation. As further explained below, instructions may include a constant field in place of one register number operand field. The result of this decoding is signals for control of the target functional unit to perform the data processing operation specified by the corresponding instruction on the specified data.

Central processing unit core 110 includes control registers 114. Control registers 114 store information for control of the functional units in scalar datapath side A 115 and vector datapath side B 116. This information could be mode information or the like.

The decoded instructions from instruction decode 113 and information stored in control registers 114 are supplied to scalar datapath side A 115 and vector datapath side B 116. As a result functional units within scalar datapath side A 115 and vector datapath side B 116 perform instruction specified data processing operations upon instruction specified data and store the results in an instruction specified data register or registers. Each of scalar datapath side A 115 and vector datapath side B 116 includes plural functional units that preferably operate in parallel. These will be further detailed below in conjunction with FIG. 2. There is a datapath 117 between scalar datapath side A 115 and vector datapath side B 116 permitting data exchange.

Central processing unit core 110 includes further non-instruction based modules. Emulation unit 118 permits determination of the machine state of central processing unit core 110 in response to instructions. This capability will typically be employed for algorithmic development. Interrupts/exceptions unit 119 enables central processing unit core 110 to be responsive to external, asynchronous events (interrupts) and to respond to attempts to perform improper operations (exceptions).

Central processing unit core 110 includes streaming engine 125. Streaming engine 125 of this illustrated embodiment supplies two data streams from predetermined addresses typically cached in level two combined cache 130 to register files of vector datapath side B 116. This provides controlled data movement from memory (as cached in level two combined cache 130) directly to functional unit operand inputs. This is further detailed below.

FIG. 1 illustrates exemplary data widths of busses between various parts. Level one instruction cache 121 supplies instructions to instruction fetch unit 111 via bus 141. Bus 141 is preferably a 512-bit bus. Bus 141 is unidirectional from level one instruction cache 121 to central processing unit 110. Level two combined cache 130 supplies instructions to level one instruction cache 121 via bus 142. Bus 142 is preferably a 512-bit bus. Bus 142 is unidirectional from level two combined cache 130 to level one instruction cache 121.

Level one data cache 123 exchanges data with register files in scalar datapath side A 115 via bus 143. Bus 143 is preferably a 64-bit bus. Level one data cache 123 exchanges data with register files in vector datapath side B 116 via bus 144. Bus 144 is preferably a 512-bit bus. Busses 143 and 144 are illustrated as bidirectional supporting both central processing unit 110 data reads and data writes. Level one data cache 123 exchanges data with level two combined cache 130 via bus 145. Bus 145 is preferably a 512-bit bus. Bus 145 is illustrated as bidirectional supporting cache service for both central processing unit 110 data reads and data writes.

As known in the art, CPU data requests are directly fetched from level one data cache 123 upon a cache hit (if the requested data is stored in level one data cache 123). Upon a cache miss (the specified data is not stored in level one data cache 123), this data is sought in level two combined cache 130. The memory locations of this requested data is either a hit in level two combined cache 130 or a miss. A hit is serviced from level two combined cache 130. A miss is serviced from another level of cache (not illustrated) or from main memory (not illustrated). As is known in the art, the requested instruction may be simultaneously supplied to both level one data cache 123 and central processing unit core 110 to speed use.

Level two combined cache 130 supplies data of a first data stream to streaming engine 125 via bus 146. Bus 146 is preferably a 512-bit bus. Streaming engine 125 supplies data of this first data stream to functional units of vector datapath side B 116 via bus 147. Bus 147 is preferably a 512-bit bus. Level two combined cache 130 supplies data of a second data stream to streaming engine 125 via bus 148. Bus 148 is preferably a 512-bit bus. Streaming engine 125 supplies data of this second data stream to functional units of vector datapath side B 116 via bus 149. Bus 149 is preferably a 512-bit bus. Busses 146, 147, 148 and 149 are illustrated as unidirectional from level two combined cache 130 to streaming engine 125 and to vector datapath side B 116 in accordance with various examples of this disclosure.

Streaming engine 125 data requests are directly fetched from level two combined cache 130 upon a cache hit (if the requested data is stored in level two combined cache 130). Upon a cache miss (the specified data is not stored in level two combined cache 130), this data is sought from another level of cache (not illustrated) or from main memory (not illustrated). It is technically feasible in some examples for level one data cache 123 to cache data not stored in level two combined cache 130. If such operation is supported, then upon a streaming engine 125 data request that is a miss in level two combined cache 130, level two combined cache 130 should snoop level one data cache 123 for the stream engine 125 requested data. If level one data cache 123 stores this data its snoop response would include the data, which is then supplied to service the streaming engine 125 request. If level one data cache 123 does not store this data its snoop response would indicate this and level two combined cache 130 must service this streaming engine 125 request from another level of cache (not illustrated) or from main memory (not illustrated).

In an example, both level one data cache 123 and level two combined cache 130 may be configured as selected amounts of cache or directly addressable memory in accordance with U.S. Pat. No. 6,606,686 entitled UNIFIED MEMORY SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE INCLUDING CACHE AND DIRECTLY ADDRESSABLE STATIC RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY.

FIG. 2 illustrates further details of functional units and register files within scalar datapath side A 115 and vector datapath side B 116. Scalar datapath side A 115 includes global scalar register file 211, L1/S1 local register file 212, M1/N1 local register file 213 and D1/D2 local register file 214. Scalar datapath side A 115 includes L1 unit 221, S1 unit 222, M1 unit 223, N1 unit 224, D1 unit 225 and D2 unit 226. Vector datapath side B 116 includes global vector register file 231, L2/52 local register file 232, M2/N2/C local register file 233 and predicate register file 234. Vector datapath side B 116 includes L2 unit 241, S2 unit 242, M2 unit 243, N2 unit 244, C unit 245 and P unit 246. There are limitations upon which functional units may read from or write to which register files. These will be detailed below.

Scalar datapath side A 115 includes L1 unit 221. L1 unit 221 generally accepts two 64-bit operands and produces one 64-bit result. The two operands are each recalled from an instruction specified register in either global scalar register file 211 or L1/S1 local register file 212. L1 unit 221 preferably performs the following instruction selected operations: 64-bit add/subtract operations; 32-bit min/max operations; 8-bit Single Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD) instructions such as sum of absolute value, minimum and maximum determinations; circular min/max operations; and various move operations between register files. The result may be written into an instruction specified register of global scalar register file 211, L1/S1 local register file 212, M1/N1 local register file 213 or D1/D2 local register file 214.

Scalar datapath side A 115 includes S1 unit 222. S1 unit 222 generally accepts two 64-bit operands and produces one 64-bit result. The two operands are each recalled from an instruction specified register in either global scalar register file 211 or L1/S1 local register file 212. S1 unit 222 preferably performs the same type operations as L1 unit 221. There optionally may be slight variations between the data processing operations supported by L1 unit 221 and S1 unit 222. The result may be written into an instruction specified register of global scalar register file 211, L1/S1 local register file 212, M1/N1 local register file 213 or D1/D2 local register file 214.

Scalar datapath side A 115 includes M1 unit 223. M1 unit 223 generally accepts two 64-bit operands and produces one 64-bit result. The two operands are each recalled from an instruction specified register in either global scalar register file 211 or M1/N1 local register file 213. M1 unit 223 preferably performs the following instruction selected operations: 8-bit multiply operations; complex dot product operations; 32-bit bit count operations; complex conjugate multiply operations; and bit-wise Logical Operations, moves, adds and subtracts. The result may be written into an instruction specified register of global scalar register file 211, L1/S1 local register file 212, M1/N1 local register file 213 or D1/D2 local register file 214.

Scalar datapath side A 115 includes N1 unit 224. N1 unit 224 generally accepts two 64-bit operands and produces one 64-bit result. The two operands are each recalled from an instruction specified register in either global scalar register file 211 or M1/N1 local register file 213. N1 unit 224 preferably performs the same type operations as M1 unit 223. There may be certain double operations (called dual issued instructions) that employ both the M1 unit 223 and the N1 unit 224 together. The result may be written into an instruction specified register of global scalar register file 211, L1/S1 local register file 212, M1/N1 local register file 213 or D1/D2 local register file 214.

Scalar datapath side A 115 includes D1 unit 225 and D2 unit 226. D1 unit 225 and D2 unit 226 generally each accept two 64-bit operands and each produce one 64-bit result. D1 unit 225 and D2 unit 226 generally perform address calculations and corresponding load and store operations. D1 unit 225 is used for scalar loads and stores of 64 bits. D2 unit 226 is used for vector loads and stores of 512 bits. D1 unit 225 and D2 unit 226 preferably also perform: swapping, pack and unpack on the load and store data; 64-bit SIMD arithmetic operations; and 64-bit bit-wise logical operations. D1/D2 local register file 214 will generally store base and offset addresses used in address calculations for the corresponding loads and stores. The two operands are each recalled from an instruction specified register in either global scalar register file 211 or D1/D2 local register file 214. The calculated result may be written into an instruction specified register of global scalar register file 211, L1/S1 local register file 212, M1/N1 local register file 213 or D1/D2 local register file 214.

Vector datapath side B 116 includes L2 unit 241. L2 unit 241 generally accepts two 512-bit operands and produces one 512-bit result. The two operands are each recalled from an instruction specified register in either global vector register file 231, L2/S2 local register file 232 or predicate register file 234. L2 unit 241 preferably performs instruction similar to L1 unit 221 except on wider 512-bit data. The result may be written into an instruction specified register of global vector register file 231, L2/S2 local register file 232, M2/N2/C local register file 233 or predicate register file 234.

Vector datapath side B 116 includes S2 unit 242. S2 unit 242 generally accepts two 512-bit operands and produces one 512-bit result. The two operands are each recalled from an instruction specified register in either global vector register file 231, L2/S2 local register file 232 or predicate register file 234. S2 unit 242 preferably performs instructions similar to S1 unit 222. The result may be written into an instruction specified register of global vector register file 231, L2/52 local register file 232, M2/N2/C local register file 233 or predicate register file 234.

Vector datapath side B 116 includes M2 unit 243. M2 unit 243 generally accepts two 512-bit operands and produces one 512-bit result. The two operands are each recalled from an instruction specified register in either global vector register file 231 or M2/N2/C local register file 233. M2 unit 243 preferably performs instructions similar to M1 unit 223 except on wider 512-bit data. The result may be written into an instruction specified register of global vector register file 231, L2/52 local register file 232 or M2/N2/C local register file 233.

Vector datapath side B 116 includes N2 unit 244. N2 unit 244 generally accepts two 512-bit operands and produces one 512-bit result. The two operands are each recalled from an instruction specified register in either global vector register file 231 or M2/N2/C local register file 233. N2 unit 244 preferably performs the same type operations as M2 unit 243. There may be certain double operations (called dual issued instructions) that employ both M2 unit 243 and the N2 unit 244 together. The result may be written into an instruction specified register of global vector register file 231, L2/S2 local register file 232 or M2/N2/C local register file 233.

Vector datapath side B 116 includes C unit 245. C unit 245 generally accepts two 512-bit operands and produces one 512-bit result. The two operands are each recalled from an instruction specified register in either global vector register file 231 or M2/N2/C local register file 233. C unit 245 preferably performs: “Rake” and “Search” instructions; up to 512 2-bit PN*8-bit multiplies I/Q complex multiplies per clock cycle; 8-bit and 16-bit Sum-of-Absolute-Difference (SAD) calculations, up to 512 SADs per clock cycle; horizontal add and horizontal min/max instructions; and vector permutes instructions. C unit 245 also contains 4 vector control registers (CUCR0 to CUCR3) used to control certain operations of C unit 245 instructions. Control registers CUCR0 to CUCR3 are used as operands in certain C unit 245 operations. Control registers CUCR0 to CUCR3 are preferably used: in control of a general permutation instruction (VPERM); and as masks for SIMD multiple DOT product operations (DOTPM) and SIMD multiple Sum-of-Absolute-Difference (SAD) operations. Control register CUCR0 is preferably used to store the polynomials for Galois Field Multiply operations (GFMPY). Control register CUCR1 is preferably used to store the Galois field polynomial generator function.

Vector datapath side B 116 includes P unit 246. P unit 246 performs basic logic operations on registers of local predicate register file 234. P unit 246 has direct access to read from and write to predication register file 234. These operations include single register unary operations such as: NEG (negate) which inverts each bit of the single register; BITCNT (bit count) which returns a count of the number of bits in the single register having a predetermined digital state (1 or 0); RMBD (right most bit detect) which returns a number of bit positions from the least significant bit position (right most) to a first bit position having a predetermined digital state (1 or 0); DECIMATE which selects every instruction specified Nth (1, 2, 4, etc.) bit to output; and EXPAND which replicates each bit an instruction specified N times (2, 4, etc.). These operations include two register binary operations such as: AND a bitwise AND of data of the two registers; NAND a bitwise AND and negate of data of the two registers; OR a bitwise OR of data of the two registers; NOR a bitwise OR and negate of data of the two registers; and XOR exclusive OR of data of the two registers. These operations include transfer of data from a predicate register of predicate register file 234 to another specified predicate register or to a specified data register in global vector register file 231. A commonly expected use of P unit 246 includes manipulation of the SIMD vector comparison results for use in control of a further SIMD vector operation. The BITCNT instruction may be used to count the number of 1's in a predicate register to determine the number of valid data elements from a predicate register.

FIG. 3 illustrates global scalar register file 211. There are 16 independent 64-bit wide scalar registers designated AO to A15. Each register of global scalar register file 211 can be read from or written to as 64-bits of scalar data. All scalar datapath side A 115 functional units (1_1 unit 221, S1 unit 222, M1 unit 223, N1 unit 224, D1 unit 225 and D2 unit 226) can read or write to global scalar register file 211. Global scalar register file 211 may be read as 32-bits or as 64-bits and may only be written to as 64-bits. The instruction executing determines the read data size. Vector datapath side B 116 functional units (L2 unit 241, S2 unit 242, M2 unit 243, N2 unit 244, C unit 245 and P unit 246) can read from global scalar register file 211 via crosspath 117 under restrictions that will be detailed below.

FIG. 4 illustrates D1/D2 local register file 214. There are 16 independent 64-bit wide scalar registers designated D0 to D16. Each register of D1/D2 local register file 214 can be read from or written to as 64-bits of scalar data. All scalar datapath side A 115 functional units (L1 unit 221, S1 unit 222, M1 unit 223, N1 unit 224, D1 unit 225 and D2 unit 226) can write to global scalar register file 211. Only D1 unit 225 and D2 unit 226 can read from D1/D2 local scalar register file 214. It is expected that data stored in D1/D2 local scalar register file 214 will include base addresses and offset addresses used in address calculation.

FIG. 5 illustrates L1/S1 local register file 212. The example illustrated in FIG. 5 has 8 independent 64-bit wide scalar registers designated AL0 to AL7. The preferred instruction coding (see FIG. 15) permits L1/S1 local register file 212 to include up to 16 registers. The example of FIG. 5 implements only 8 registers to reduce circuit size and complexity. Each register of L1/S1 local register file 212 can be read from or written to as 64-bits of scalar data. All scalar datapath side A 115 functional units (L1 unit 221, S1 unit 222, M1 unit 223, N1 unit 224, D1 unit 225 and D2 unit 226) can write to L1/S1 local scalar register file 212. Only L1 unit 221 and S1 unit 222 can read from L1/S1 local scalar register file 212.

FIG. 6 illustrates M1/N1 local register file 213. The example illustrated in FIG. 6 has 8 independent 64-bit wide scalar registers designated AM0 to AM7. The preferred instruction coding (see FIG. 15) permits M1/N1 local register file 213 to include up to 16 registers. The example of FIG. 6 implements only 8 registers to reduce circuit size and complexity. Each register of M1/N1 local register file 213 can be read from or written to as 64-bits of scalar data. All scalar datapath side A 115 functional units (L1 unit 221, S1 unit 222, M1 unit 223, N1 unit 224, D1 unit 225 and D2 unit 226) can write to M1/N1 local scalar register file 213. Only M1 unit 223 and N1 unit 224 can read from M1/N1 local scalar register file 213.

FIG. 7 illustrates global vector register file 231. There are 16 independent 512-bit wide vector registers. Each register of global vector register file 231 can be read from or written to as 64-bits of scalar data designated BO to B15. Each register of global vector register file 231 can be read from or written to as 512-bits of vector data designated VB0 to VB15. The instruction type determines the data size. All vector datapath side B 116 functional units (L2 unit 241, S2 unit 242, M2 unit 243, N2 unit 244, C unit 245 and P unit 246) can read or write to global scalar register file 231. Scalar datapath side A 115 functional units (L1 unit 221, S1 unit 222, M1 unit 223, N1 unit 224, D1 unit 225 and D2 unit 226) can read from global vector register file 231 via crosspath 117 under restrictions that will be detailed below.

FIG. 8 illustrates P local register file 234. There are 8 independent 64-bit wide registers designated PO to P7. Each register of P local register file 234 can be read from or written to as 64-bits of scalar data. Vector datapath side B 116 functional units L2 unit 241, S2 unit 242, C unit 244 and P unit 246 can write to P local register file 234. Only L2 unit 241, S2 unit 242 and P unit 246 can read from P local scalar register file 234. A commonly expected use of P local register file 234 includes: writing one bit SIMD vector comparison results from L2 unit 241, S2 unit 242 or C unit 244; manipulation of the SIMD vector comparison results by P unit 246; and use of the manipulated results in control of a further SIMD vector operation.

FIG. 9 illustrates L2/S2 local register file 232. The example illustrated in FIG. 9 has 8 independent 512-bit wide vector registers. The preferred instruction coding (see FIG. 15) permits L2/S2 local register file 232 to include up to 16 registers. The example of FIG. 9 implements only 8 registers to reduce circuit size and complexity. Each register of L2/S2 local vector register file 232 can be read from or written to as 64-bits of scalar data designated BL0 to BL7. Each register of L2/S2 local vector register file 232 can be read from or written to as 512-bits of vector data designated VBL0 to VBL7. The instruction type determines the data size. All vector datapath side B 116 functional units (L2 unit 241, S2 unit 242, M2 unit 243, N2 unit 244, C unit 245 and P unit 246) can write to L2/S2 local vector register file 232. Only L2 unit 241 and S2 unit 242 can read from L2/S2 local vector register file 232.

FIG. 10 illustrates M2/N2/C local register file 233. The example illustrated in FIG. 10 has 8 independent 512-bit wide vector registers. The preferred instruction coding (see FIG. 15) permits M2/N2/C local vector register file 233 include up to 16 registers. The example of FIG. 10 implements only 8 registers to reduce circuit size and complexity. Each register of M2/N2/C local vector register file 233 can be read from or written to as 64-bits of scalar data designated BMO to BM7. Each register of M2/N2/C local vector register file 233 can be read from or written to as 512-bits of vector data designated VBM0 to VBM7. All vector datapath side B 116 functional units (L2 unit 241, S2 unit 242, M2 unit 243, N2 unit 244, C unit 245 and P unit 246) can write to M2/N2/C local vector register file 233. Only M2 unit 243, N2 unit 244 and C unit 245 can read from M2/N2/C local vector register file 233.

The provision of global register files accessible by all functional units of a side and local register files accessible by only some of the functional units of a side is a design choice. Some examples of this disclosure employ only one type of register file corresponding to the disclosed global register files.

Referring back to FIG. 2, crosspath 117 permits limited exchange of data between scalar datapath side A 115 and vector datapath side B 116. During each operational cycle one 64-bit data word can be recalled from global scalar register file A 211 for use as an operand by one or more functional units of vector datapath side B 116 and one 64-bit data word can be recalled from global vector register file 231 for use as an operand by one or more functional units of scalar datapath side A 115. Any scalar datapath side A 115 functional unit (L1 unit 221, S1 unit 222, M1 unit 223, N1 unit 224, D1 unit 225 and D2 unit 226) may read a 64-bit operand from global vector register file 231. This 64-bit operand is the least significant bits of the 512-bit data in the accessed register of global vector register file 231. Plural scalar datapath side A 115 functional units may employ the same 64-bit crosspath data as an operand during the same operational cycle. However, only one 64-bit operand is transferred from vector datapath side B 116 to scalar datapath side A 115 in any single operational cycle. Any vector datapath side B 116 functional unit (L2 unit 241, S2 unit 242, M2 unit 243, N2 unit 244, C unit 245 and P unit 246) may read a 64-bit operand from global scalar register file 211. If the corresponding instruction is a scalar instruction, the crosspath operand data is treated as any other 64-bit operand. If the corresponding instruction is a vector instruction, the upper 448 bits of the operand are zero filled. Plural vector datapath side B 116 functional units may employ the same 64-bit crosspath data as an operand during the same operational cycle. Only one 64-bit operand is transferred from scalar datapath side A 115 to vector datapath side B 116 in any single operational cycle.

Streaming engine 125 transfers data in certain restricted circumstances. Streaming engine 125 controls two data streams. A stream consists of a sequence of elements of a particular type. Programs that operate on streams read the data sequentially, operating on each element in turn. Every stream has the following basic properties. The stream data have a well-defined beginning and ending in time. The stream data have fixed element size and type throughout the stream. The stream data have a fixed sequence of elements. Thus, programs cannot seek randomly within the stream. The stream data is read-only while active. Programs cannot write to a stream while simultaneously reading from it. Once a stream is opened, the streaming engine 125: calculates the address; fetches the defined data type from level two unified cache (which may require cache service from a higher level memory); performs data type manipulation such as zero extension, sign extension, data element sorting/swapping such as matrix transposition; and delivers the data directly to the programmed data register file within CPU 110. Streaming engine 125 is thus useful for real-time digital filtering operations on well-behaved data. Streaming engine 125 frees these memory fetch tasks from the corresponding CPU enabling other processing functions.

Streaming engine 125 provides the following benefits. Streaming engine 125 permits multi-dimensional memory accesses. Streaming engine 125 increases the available bandwidth to the functional units. Streaming engine 125 minimizes the number of cache miss stalls since the stream buffer bypasses level one data cache 123. Streaming engine 125 reduces the number of scalar operations required to maintain a loop. Streaming engine 125 manages address pointers. Streaming engine 125 handles address generation automatically freeing up the address generation instruction slots and D1 unit 225 and D2 unit 226 for other computations.

CPU 110 operates on an instruction pipeline. Instructions are fetched in instruction packets of fixed length further described below. All instructions require the same number of pipeline phases for fetch and decode, but require a varying number of execute phases.

FIG. 11 illustrates the following pipeline phases: program fetch phase 1110, dispatch and decode phases 1120 and execution phases 1130. Program fetch phase 1110 includes three stages for all instructions. Dispatch and decode phases 1120 include three stages for all instructions. Execution phase 1130 includes one to four stages dependent on the instruction.

Fetch phase 1110 includes program address generation stage 1111 (PG), program access stage 1112 (PA) and program receive stage 1113 (PR). During program address generation stage 1111 (PG), the program address is generated in the CPU and the read request is sent to the memory controller for the level one instruction cache L1 I. During the program access stage 1112 (PA) the level one instruction cache L1I processes the request, accesses the data in its memory and sends a fetch packet to the CPU boundary. During the program receive stage 1113 (PR) the CPU registers the fetch packet.

Instructions are always fetched sixteen 32-bit wide slots, constituting a fetch packet, at a time. FIG. 12 illustrates 16 instructions 1201 to 1216 of a single fetch packet. Fetch packets are aligned on 512-bit (16-word) boundaries. An example employs a fixed 32-bit instruction length. Fixed length instructions are advantageous for several reasons. Fixed length instructions enable easy decoder alignment. A properly aligned instruction fetch can load plural instructions into parallel instruction decoders. Such a properly aligned instruction fetch can be achieved by predetermined instruction alignment when stored in memory (fetch packets aligned on 512-bit boundaries) coupled with a fixed instruction packet fetch. An aligned instruction fetch permits operation of parallel decoders on instruction-sized fetched bits. Variable length instructions require an initial step of locating each instruction boundary before they can be decoded. A fixed length instruction set generally permits more regular layout of instruction fields. This simplifies the construction of each decoder which is an advantage for a wide issue VLIW central processor.

The execution of the individual instructions is partially controlled by a p bit in each instruction. This p bit is preferably bit 0 of the 32-bit wide slot. The p bit determines whether an instruction executes in parallel with a next instruction. Instructions are scanned from lower to higher address. If the p bit of an instruction is 1, then the next following instruction (higher memory address) is executed in parallel with (in the same cycle as) that instruction. If the p bit of an instruction is 0, then the next following instruction is executed in the cycle after the instruction.

CPU 110 and level one instruction cache L1I 121 pipelines are de-coupled from each other. Fetch packet returns from level one instruction cache L1 I can take different number of clock cycles, depending on external circumstances such as whether there is a hit in level one instruction cache 121 or a hit in level two combined cache 130. Therefore program access stage 1112 (PA) can take several clock cycles instead of 1 clock cycle as in the other stages.

The instructions executing in parallel constitute an execute packet. In an example, an execute packet can contain up to sixteen instructions. No two instructions in an execute packet may use the same functional unit. A slot is one of five types: 1) a self-contained instruction executed on one of the functional units of CPU 110 (L1 unit 221, S1 unit 222, M1 unit 223, N1 unit 224, D1 unit 225, D2 unit 226, L2 unit 241, S2 unit 242, M2 unit 243, N2 unit 244, C unit 245 and P unit 246); 2) a unitless instruction such as a NOP (no operation) instruction or multiple NOP instruction; 3) a branch instruction; 4) a constant field extension; and 5) a conditional code extension. Some of these slot types will be further explained below.

Dispatch and decode phases 1120 include instruction dispatch to appropriate execution unit stage 1121 (DS), instruction pre-decode stage 1122 (DC1); and instruction decode, operand reads stage 1123 (DC2). During instruction dispatch to appropriate execution unit stage 1121 (DS), the fetch packets are split into execute packets and assigned to the appropriate functional units. During the instruction pre-decode stage 1122 (DC1), the source registers, destination registers and associated paths are decoded for the execution of the instructions in the functional units. During the instruction decode, operand reads stage 1123 (DC2), more detailed unit decodes are done, as well as reading operands from the register files.

Execution phases 1130 includes execution stages 1131 to 1135 (E1 to E5). Different types of instructions require different numbers of these stages to complete their execution. These stages of the pipeline play an important role in understanding the device state at CPU cycle boundaries.

During execute 1 stage 1131 (E1) the conditions for the instructions are evaluated and operands are operated on. As illustrated in FIG. 11, execute 1 stage 1131 may receive operands from a stream buffer 1141 and one of the register files shown schematically as 1142. For load and store instructions, address generation is performed and address modifications are written to a register file. For branch instructions, branch fetch packet in PG phase is affected. As illustrated in FIG. 11, load and store instructions access memory here shown schematically as memory 1151. For single-cycle instructions, results are written to a destination register file. This assumes that any conditions for the instructions are evaluated as true. If a condition is evaluated as false, the instruction does not write any results or have any pipeline operation after execute 1 stage 1131.

During execute 2 stage 1132 (E2) load instructions send the address to memory. Store instructions send the address and data to memory. Single-cycle instructions that saturate results set the SAT bit in the control status register (CSR) if saturation occurs. For 2-cycle instructions, results are written to a destination register file.

During execute 3 stage 1133 (E3) data memory accesses are performed. Any multiply instructions that saturate results set the SAT bit in the control status register (CSR) if saturation occurs. For 3-cycle instructions, results are written to a destination register file.

During execute 4 stage 1134 (E4) load instructions bring data to the CPU boundary. For 4-cycle instructions, results are written to a destination register file.

During execute 5 stage 1135 (E5) load instructions write data into a register. This is illustrated schematically in FIG. 11 with input from memory 1151 to execute 5 stage 1135.

In some cases, the processor 100 (e.g., a DSP) may be called upon to execute software that requires sorting functions be performed. As explained above, implementing sorting functions at the processor level (e.g., with assembly- or compiler-level instructions) requires multiple instructions to identify maximum/minimum values and their index or position in an array of values. Since sorting functions carried out by the DSP are often frequent and repetitive, increased instruction overhead is not desirable.

FIG. 13 illustrates an example of registers 1300 utilized in executing a vector maximum/minimum with indexing instruction. The registers 1300 include a first source register 1302, a second source register 1304, and a destination register 1306. As will be explained further below, in some examples the second source register 1304 functions as the destination register 1306. The registers 1300 also include a predicate register 1308. In this example, the first and second source registers 1302, 1304 and the destination register 1306 are 512-bit vector registers such as those contained in the global vector register file 231 explained above. In this example, the predicate register 1308 is a 64-bit predicate register contained in the predicate register file 234, also explained above. In other examples, the first and second source register 1302, 1304, the destination register 1306, and the predicate register 1308 may be of different sizes; the scope of this disclosure is not limited to a particular register size or set of register sizes.

In this example, each of the first source register 1302, the second source register 1304, the destination register 1306, and the predicate register 1308 are divided into 64 equal-sized lanes, labeled Lane 0 through Lane 63. Thus, the lanes of the first and second source registers 1302, 1304 and the destination register 1306 are 8-bit lanes (labeled byte0 through byte63, respectively), while the lanes of the predicate register 1308 are single-bit lanes (labeled PO through P63, respectively). Data that is in a like-numbered lane in different registers is said to be in a “corresponding” lane. For example, byte0 of the first source register 1302, byte0 of the second source register 1304, byte0 of the destination register 1306, and bit PO of the predicate register 1308 are all in a corresponding lane, namely Lane 0.

A vector maximum with indexing instruction contains fields that specify the first source register 1302, the second source register 1304, and the destination register 1306 (e.g., in the global vector register file 231). The vector maximum with indexing instruction also contains a field that specifies the predicate register 1308 (e.g., in the predicate register file 234). In response to executing the vector maximum with indexing instruction, the DSP 100 compares each pair of values in the various lanes of the first and second source registers 1302, 1304. For example, byte0 of the first source register 1302 is compared to byte0 of the second source register 1304, byte1 of the first source register 1302 is compared to byte1 of the second source register 1304, and so on. As a result of the comparison of values in corresponding lanes of the first and second source registers 1302, 1304, the DSP 100 identifies a maximum value of each pair of compared values and stores the maximum value in a corresponding lane of the destination register 1306. For example, the maximum of Lane 0 values in the first and second source registers 1302, 1304 is stored in Lane 0 of the destination register 1306. In examples where the second source register 1304 is used as the destination register 1306, the data in Lane 0 of the second source register 1304 may be overwritten with the identified maximum value from the comparison.

Additionally, in response to executing the vector maximum with indexing instruction, the DSP 100 asserts or de-asserts a corresponding lane of the predicate register 1308. For ease of discussion below, “asserting” refers to setting a predicate register 1308 bit value to ‘1’, while “de-asserting” refers to setting a predicate register 1308 bit value to ‘0’. However, it should be appreciated that the scope of this disclosure is not limited to a certain value being tied to assertion or de-assertion of a field in the predicate register 1308. In one example, the DSP 100 asserts the corresponding lane of the predicate register 1308 as a result of the comparison indicating that the maximum value is from or contained in the first source register 1302. In this example, the DSP 100 de-asserts the corresponding lane of the predicate register 1308 as a result of the comparison indicating that the maximum value is from or contained in the second source register 1302. In a situation in which the values in corresponding lanes of the first and second source registers 1302, 1304 are equal, it may be considered a design choice as to whether to assert or de-assert the corresponding lane of the predicate register 1308. That is, in some examples, equivalent values in a lane of the first and second source registers 1302, 1304 result in asserting the corresponding lane of the predicate register 1308; in other examples, equivalent values in a lane of the first and second source registers 1302, 1304 result in de-asserting the corresponding lane of the predicate register 1308.

A vector minimum with indexing instruction also contains fields that specify the first source register 1302, the second source register 1304, and the destination register 1306 (e.g., in the global vector register file 231). The vector minimum with indexing instruction also contains a field that specifies the predicate register 1308 (e.g., in the predicate register file 234). In response to executing the vector minimum with indexing instruction, the DSP 100 compares each pair of values in the various lanes of the first and second source registers 1302, 1304. For example, byte0 of the first source register 1302 is compared to byte0 of the second source register 1304, byte1 of the first source register 1302 is compared to byte1 of the second source register 1304, and so on. As a result of the comparison of values in corresponding lanes of the first and second source registers 1302, 1304, the DSP 100 identifies a minimum value of each pair of compared values and stores the minimum value in a corresponding lane of the destination register 1306. For example, the minimum of Lane 0 values in the first and second source registers 1302, 1304 is stored in Lane 0 of the destination register 1306. In examples where the second source register 1304 is used as the destination register 1306, the data in Lane 0 of the second source register 1304 may be overwritten with the identified minimum value from the comparison.

Additionally, in response to executing the vector minimum with indexing instruction, the DSP 100 asserts or de-asserts a corresponding lane of the predicate register 1308. In one example, the DSP 100 asserts the corresponding lane of the predicate register 1308 as a result of the comparison indicating that the minimum value is from or contained in the first source register 1302. In this example, the DSP 100 de-asserts the corresponding lane of the predicate register 1308 as a result of the comparison indicating that the minimum value is from or contained in the second source register 1302. As above, in a situation in which the values in corresponding lanes of the first and second source registers 1302, 1304 are equal, it may be considered a design choice as to whether to assert or de-assert the corresponding lane of the predicate register 1308. That is, in some examples, equivalent values in a lane of the first and second source registers 1302, 1304 result in asserting the corresponding lane of the predicate register 1308; in other examples, equivalent values in a lane of the first and second source registers 1302, 1304 result in de-asserting the corresponding lane of the predicate register 1308.

FIGS. 14A-14D illustrate various examples of vector maximum/minimum with indexing instructions' functionality. In particular, FIGS. 14A-14D show values contained in the first four lanes of first and second source registers 1402, 1404. FIGS. 14A-14D also show values stored in the corresponding first four lanes of the destination register 1406 and the predicate register 1408 that result from the execution of vector maximum/minimum with indexing instructions as explained further below. Although only four lanes are shown for each of the first and second source registers 1402, 1404, the destination register 1406, and the predicate register 1408, it should be appreciated that this is for ease of discussion, and the examples of FIGS. 14A-14D may be extended to the register sizes discussed above with respect to FIG. 13. Further, as explained above with respect to FIG. 13, in some examples the second source register 1404 serves as the destination register 1406, and thus the previous values of the second source register 1404 are overwritten with identified minimum or maximum values for each lane.

FIG. 14A illustrates an example of a vector maximum with indexing instruction in which data in the lanes of the first and second source registers 1402 a, 1404 a are treated as unsigned values. Thus, as explained above, the destination register 1406 a contains the maximum of each pair of compared values from the corresponding lane of the first and second source registers 1402 a, 1404 a. In this example, the corresponding lane of the predicate register 1408 a is asserted if the identified maximum is from the first source register 1402 a and is de-asserted if the identified maximum is from the second source register 1404 a.

The exemplary first source register 1402 a data is x01, x04, x80, x7F in Lane 3 through Lane 0, respectively. The exemplary second source register 1404 a data is x02, x03, x6F, x7F in Lane 3 through Lane 0, respectively. As a result of executing the vector maximum with indexing instruction, in this example where data values are unsigned values, the destination register 1406 a contains the maximum value of x02 in Lane 3, x04 in Lane 2, x80 in Lane 1, and x7F in Lane 0.

Since the identified maximum value of x02 in Lane 3 is from the second source register 1404 a, the corresponding lane of the predicate register 1408 a is de-asserted. Since the identified maximum value of x04 in Lane 2 is from the first source register 1402 a, the corresponding lane of the predicate register 1408 a is asserted. Since the identified maximum value of x80 in Lane 1 is from the first source register 1402 a, the corresponding lane of the predicate register 1408 a is asserted. Finally, since the values in Lane 0 are equal, in this example, the corresponding lane of the predicate register 1408 a is de-asserted.

FIG. 14B illustrates an example of a vector maximum with indexing instruction in which data in the lanes of the first and second source registers 1402 b, 1404 b are treated as signed values. Thus, as explained above, the destination register 1406 b contains the maximum of each pair of compared values from the corresponding lane of the first and second source registers 1402 b, 1404 b. In this example, the corresponding lane of the predicate register 1408 b is asserted if the identified maximum is from the first source register 1402 b and is de-asserted if the identified maximum is from the second source register 1404 b.

The exemplary first source register 1402 b data is x01, x04, x80, x7F in Lane 3 through Lane 0, respectively. The exemplary second source register 1404 b data is x02, x03, x6F, x7F in Lane 3 through Lane 0, respectively. As a result of executing the vector maximum with indexing instruction, in this example where data values are signed values, the destination register 1406 b contains the maximum value of x02 in Lane 3, x04 in Lane 2, x6F in Lane 1, and x7F in Lane 0.

Since the identified maximum value of x02 in Lane 3 is from the second source register 1404 b, the corresponding lane of the predicate register 1408 b is de-asserted. Since the identified maximum value of x04 in Lane 2 is from the first source register 1402 b, the corresponding lane of the predicate register 1408 b is asserted. Since the identified maximum value of x6F in Lane 1 is from the second source register 1404 b, the corresponding lane of the predicate register 1408 b is de-asserted. Finally, since the values in Lane 0 are equal, in this example, the corresponding lane of the predicate register 1408 b is de-asserted.

FIG. 14C illustrates an example of a vector minimum with indexing instruction in which data in the lanes of the first and second source registers 1402 c, 1404 c are treated as unsigned values. Thus, as explained above, the destination register 1406 c contains the minimum of each pair of compared values from the corresponding lane of the first and second source registers 1402 c, 1404 c. In this example, the corresponding lane of the predicate register 1408 c is asserted if the identified minimum is from the first source register 1402 c and is de-asserted if the identified minimum is from the second source register 1404 c.

The exemplary first source register 1402 c data is x01, x04, x80, x7F in Lane 3 through Lane 0, respectively. The exemplary second source register 1404 c data is x02, x03, x6F, x7F in Lane 3 through Lane 0, respectively. As a result of executing the vector minimum with indexing instruction, in this example where data values are unsigned values, the destination register 1406 c contains the minimum value of x01 in Lane 3, x03 in Lane 2, x6F in Lane 1, and x7F in Lane 0.

Since the identified minimum value of x01 in Lane 3 is from the first source register 1402 c, the corresponding lane of the predicate register 1408 c is asserted. Since the identified minimum value of x03 in Lane 2 is from the second source register 1404 c, the corresponding lane of the predicate register 1408 c is de-asserted. Since the identified minimum value of x6F in Lane 1 is from the second source register 1404 c, the corresponding lane of the predicate register 1408 c is de-asserted. Finally, since the values in Lane 0 are equal, in this example, the corresponding lane of the predicate register 1408 b is de-asserted.

Finally, FIG. 14D illustrates an example of a vector minimum with indexing instruction in which data in the lanes of the first and second source registers 1402 d, 1404 d are treated as signed values. Thus, as explained above, the destination register 1406 d contains the minimum of each pair of compared values from the corresponding lane of the first and second source registers 1402 d, 1404 d. In this example, the corresponding lane of the predicate register 1408 d is asserted if the identified minimum is from the first source register 1402 d and is de-asserted if the identified minimum is from the second source register 1404 d.

The exemplary first source register 1402 d data is x01, x04, x80, x7F in Lane 3 through Lane 0, respectively. The exemplary second source register 1404 d data is x02, x03, x6F, x7F in Lane 3 through Lane 0, respectively. As a result of executing the vector minimum with indexing instruction, in this example where data values are signed values, the destination register 1406 d contains the minimum value of x01 in Lane 3, x03 in Lane 2, x80 in Lane 1, and x7F in Lane 0.

Since the identified minimum value of x01 in Lane 3 is from the first source register 1402 d, the corresponding lane of the predicate register 1408 d is asserted. Since the identified minimum value of x03 in Lane 2 is from the second source register 1404 d, the corresponding lane of the predicate register 1408 d is de-asserted. Since the identified minimum value of x80 in Lane 1 is from the first source register 1402 d, the corresponding lane of the predicate register 1408 d is asserted. Finally, since the values in Lane 0 are equal, in this example, the corresponding lane of the predicate register 1408 b is de-asserted.

FIG. 15 illustrates an example of the instruction coding 1500 of functional unit instructions used by examples of this disclosure. Other instruction codings are feasible and within the scope of this disclosure. Each instruction consists of 32 bits and controls the operation of one of the individually controllable functional units (L1 unit 221, S1 unit 222, M1 unit 223, N1 unit 224, D1 unit 225, D2 unit 226, L2 unit 241, S2 unit 242, M2 unit 243, N2 unit 244, C unit 245 and P unit 246). The bit fields are defined as follows.

The pdst field 1502 (bits 26 to 31) specifies a predicate register in a corresponding predicate register file 234 as the destination of the index or predicate portion of the instruction results.

The src2/dst field 1504 (bits 20 to 25) specifies the second source register (e.g., second source register 1304) from the global vector register file 231 and, in this example, also specifies the destination register (e.g., destination register 1306) that will hold the comparison results, or the identified maximum/minimum values.

The src1 field 1506 (bits 14 to 19) specifies the first source register (e.g., first source register 1302) from the global vector register file 231.

The opcode field 1508 (bits 5 to 13) specifies the type of instruction (e.g., maximum or minimum) and designates appropriate instruction options (e.g., treating data in lanes of the source registers as signed or unsigned values). The unit field 1510 (bits 2 to 4) provides an unambiguous designation of the functional unit used and operation performed. A detailed explanation of the opcode is generally beyond the scope of this disclosure except for the instruction options detailed below.

The s bit 1512 (bit 1) designates scalar datapath side A 115 or vector datapath side B 116. If s=0, then scalar datapath side A 115 is selected. This limits the functional unit to L1 unit 221, S1 unit 222, M1 unit 223, N1 unit 224, D1 unit 225 and D2 unit 226 and the corresponding register files illustrated in FIG. 2. Similarly, s=1 selects vector datapath side B 116 limiting the functional unit to L2 unit 241, S2 unit 242, M2 unit 243, N2 unit 244, P unit 246 and the corresponding register file illustrated in FIG. 2.

The p bit 1514 (bit 0) marks the execute packets. The p-bit determines whether the instruction executes in parallel with the following instruction. The p-bits are scanned from lower to higher address. If p=1 for the current instruction, then the next instruction executes in parallel with the current instruction. If p=0 for the current instruction, then the next instruction executes in the cycle after the current instruction. All instructions executing in parallel constitute an execute packet. An execute packet can contain up to twelve instructions. Each instruction in an execute packet must use a different functional unit.

FIG. 16 shows a flow chart of a method 1600 in accordance with examples of this disclosure. The method 1600 begins in block 1602 with specifying a first source register containing first source data, a second source register containing second source data, a destination register to store compared data, and a predicate register. The first and second source register, the destination register, and the predicate register are specified in fields of a vector maximum/minimum with indexing instruction, such as the src1 field 1506, the src2 field 1504, the dst field 1504, and the pdst field 1502, respectively, which are described above with respect to FIG. 15. In certain cases, the predicate register is a 64-bit predicate register contained in the predicate register file 234, explained above. In other cases, the first and second source registers, the destination register, and the predicate register may be of different sizes; the scope of this disclosure is not limited to a particular register size or set of register sizes.

The method 1600 continues in block 1604 with executing the vector maximum/minimum with indexing instruction, in particular by comparing a value in a lane of the first source register to a value in the corresponding lane of the second source register to identify a maximum/minimum value. In one example, the source registers are 512-bit vector registers and the lanes are 8-bit lanes, such that there are 64 comparisons made when executing a single vector maximum/minimum with indexing instruction, as explained above with respect to FIG. 13. The 8-bit lanes may be interpreted as signed or unsigned values.

The method 1600 continues further in block 1606 with storing the maximum/minimum identified value in a corresponding lane of the destination register. In one example, the destination register may be the second source register, such that the second source register is overwritten with the identified maximum/minimum values.

The method 1600 continues in block 1608 with asserting a corresponding lane of the predicate register as a result of the maximum/minimum value being from the first source register. However, if the maximum/minimum value is from the second source register, the method 1600 continues in block 1610 with de-asserting a corresponding lane of the predicate register. In this example, “asserting” refers to setting a predicate register value to ‘1’, while “de-asserting” refers to setting a predicate register bit value to ‘0’. However, it should be appreciated that the scope of this disclosure is not limited to a certain value being tied to assertion or de-assertion of a field in the predicate register. In one example, the DSP 100 asserts the corresponding lane of the predicate register as a result of the comparison indicating that the maximum/minimum value is from or contained in the first source register. In this example, the DSP 100 de-asserts the corresponding lane of the predicate register as a result of the comparison indicating that the maximum/minimum value is from or contained in the second source register. In a situation in which the values in corresponding lanes of the first and second source registers are equal, it may be considered a design choice as to whether to assert or de-assert the corresponding lane of the predicate register. That is, in some examples, equivalent values in a lane of the first and second source registers result in asserting the corresponding lane of the predicate register; in other examples, equivalent values in a lane of the first and second source registers result in de-asserting the corresponding lane of the predicate register.

In the foregoing discussion and in the claims, the terms “including” and “comprising” are used in an open-ended fashion, and thus should be interpreted to mean “including, but not limited to . . . .” Also, the term “couple” or “couples” is intended to mean either an indirect or direct connection. Thus, if a first device couples to a second device, that connection may be through a direct connection or through an indirect connection via other devices and connections. Similarly, a device that is coupled between a first component or location and a second component or location may be through a direct connection or through an indirect connection via other devices and connections. An element or feature that is “configured to” perform a task or function may be configured (e.g., programmed or structurally designed) at a time of manufacturing by a manufacturer to perform the function and/or may be configurable (or re-configurable) by a user after manufacturing to perform the function and/or other additional or alternative functions. The configuring may be through firmware and/or software programming of the device, through a construction and/or layout of hardware components and interconnections of the device, or a combination thereof. Additionally, uses of the phrases “ground” or similar in the foregoing discussion are intended to include a chassis ground, an Earth ground, a floating ground, a virtual ground, a digital ground, a common ground, and/or any other form of ground connection applicable to, or suitable for, the teachings of the present disclosure. Unless otherwise stated, “about,” “approximately,” or “substantially” preceding a value means+/−10 percent of the stated value.

The above discussion is meant to be illustrative of the principles and various examples of the present disclosure. Numerous variations and modifications will become apparent to those skilled in the art once the above disclosure is fully appreciated. It is intended that the following claims be interpreted to embrace all such variations and modifications. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A processor comprising: a set of functional units; a first source register coupled to the set of functional units; a second source register coupled to the set of functional units; and a predicate register coupled to the set of functional units, wherein: each of the first source register, the second source register, and the predicate register includes a set of lanes; and the processor is configured to: receive an instruction, and based on the instruction, cause a functional unit of the set of functional units to: compare each lane of the set of lanes of the first source register to a respective lane of the set of lanes of the second source register to determine a maximum value, and store, in each lane of the set of lanes of the predicate register, an indication of whether a respective maximum value is associated with the first source register or the second source register.
 2. The processor of claim 1 further comprising a destination register that includes a set of lanes, wherein the processor is configured to, based on the instruction, cause the functional unit to store, in each lane of the set of lanes of the destination register, a respective maximum value.
 3. The processor of claim 2, wherein the instruction includes a first field that specifies the first source register, a second field that specifies the second source register, a third field that specifies the predicate register, and a fourth field that specifies the destination register.
 4. The processor of claim 2, wherein the destination register and the second source register are the same.
 5. The processor of claim 1, wherein: the set of functional units includes a plurality of functional units each configured to: compare each lane of the set of lanes of the first source register to the respective lane of the set of lanes of the second source register to determine the maximum value, and store, in each lane of the set of lanes of the predicate register, the indication of whether the respective maximum value is associated with the first source register or the second source register; and the instruction includes a field that specifies the functional unit from among the plurality of functional units.
 6. The processor of claim 1, wherein: the set of functional units are arranged in a scalar datapath and a vector datapath; and the instruction includes a field that specifies whether to execute the instruction using the scalar datapath or the vector datapath.
 7. The processor of claim 1, wherein the comparison of each lane of the set of lanes of the first source register to the respective lane of the set of lanes of the second source register is a signed comparison.
 8. The processor of claim 1, wherein the comparison of each lane of the set of lanes of the first source register to the respective lane of the set of lanes of the second source register is an unsigned comparison.
 9. The processor of claim 1, wherein the instruction includes a field that specifies whether the instruction is permitted to be performed in parallel with another instruction.
 10. The processor of claim 1, wherein each of the first source register and the second source register has a width of 512 bits.
 11. A processor comprising: a set of functional units; a first source register coupled to the set of functional units; a second source register coupled to the set of functional units; and a predicate register coupled to the set of functional units, wherein: each of the first source register, the second source register, and the predicate register includes a set of lanes; and the processor is configured to: receive an instruction, and based on the instruction, cause a functional unit of the set of functional units to: compare each lane of the set of lanes of the first source register to a respective lane of the set of lanes of the second source register to determine a minimum value, and store, in each lane of the set of lanes of the predicate register, an indication of whether a respective minimum value is associated with the first source register or the second source register.
 12. The processor of claim 11 further comprising a destination register that includes a set of lanes, wherein the processor is configured to, based on the instruction, cause the functional unit to store, in each lane of the set of lanes of the destination register, a respective minimum value.
 13. The processor of claim 12, wherein the instruction includes a first field that specifies the first source register, a second field that specifies the second source register, a third field that specifies the predicate register, and a fourth field that specifies the destination register.
 14. The processor of claim 12, wherein the destination register and the second source register are the same.
 15. The processor of claim 11, wherein: the set of functional units includes a plurality of functional units each configured to: compare each lane of the set of lanes of the first source register to the respective lane of the set of lanes of the second source register to determine the minimum value, and store, in each lane of the set of lanes of the predicate register, the indication of whether the respective minimum value is associated with the first source register or the second source register; and the instruction specifies the functional unit from among the plurality of functional units.
 16. The processor of claim 11, wherein: the set of functional units are arranged in a scalar datapath and a vector datapath; and the instruction includes a field that specifies whether to execute the instruction using the scalar datapath or the vector datapath.
 17. The processor of claim 11, wherein the comparison of each lane of the set of lanes of the first source register to the respective lane of the set of lanes of the second source register is a signed comparison.
 18. The processor of claim 11, wherein the comparison of each lane of the set of lanes of the first source register to the respective lane of the set of lanes of the second source register is an unsigned comparison.
 19. The processor of claim 11, wherein the instruction includes a field that specifies whether the instruction is permitted to be performed in parallel with another instruction.
 20. The processor of claim 11, wherein each of the first source register and the second source register has a width of 512 bits. 